Kampala — Uganda has considerable potential for renewable energy from Geothermal projects, especially in regions with volcanic activity.

But in order to use this geothermal energy efficiently, there is need for specific know-how to exploit this resource. The development of wells is a high-risk and very expensive exploration venture, which needs the support of financial instruments.

To overcome these barriers, the German development cooperation is using the geothermal energy potential to support partner countries.

he Federal Institute for Geosciences and National Resource (BGR) on behalf of the German ministry of economic cooperation and development (BMZ) started the GEOTHERM Programme in 2003 aimed at promoting the utilisation of geothermal energy in partner countries by kicking off development at promising sites.

The major focus is to support countries in the East African Rift Valley. There is undoubtedly a high geothermal potential in the region to tap this renewable energy source.

Kenya was the first to tap the energy for electric power generation. So far it has an installed power generation capacity of 127 MW from geothermal energy.

Uganda's potential for geothermal power generation is estimated at about 450MW (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development).

The Geotherm Programme is supporting a pre-feasibility study at the Buranga geothermal project in Western Uganda. Other potential geothermal projects lie in Katwe and Kibiro also in western Uganda.

The Buranga geothermal area at the foot of the escarpment northeast of the Rwenzori Mountain in Bundibugyo, is the most promising field. In the early 1950's, different boreholes were drilled there.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development 37 hot springs with subsurface temperatures of 120-150C have been located and mapped.

The development of renewable energies (biomass, hydro, solar, wind and geothermal) is important for developing countries. The lack of electricity is a major obstacle to development. There is a close relationship between poverty and energy supply.

Geothermal power stations can have a positive effect on rural Uganda's electrification programme. Geothermal power is highly reliable because it is dependent on daylight as well as weather conditions.

Furthermore a geothermal power station adequately planned, designed, installed and maintained has a high natural potential to produce low cost electricity.

Geothermal power plants are environmentally -friendly and they produce electricity without carbon dioxide emissions.

Apart from the power generation, geothermal resources can be used for commercial purposes.

Geothermal heat could be used to substitute the increased scarcity of wood fuel for drying fish, salt, tea and crops, curing tobacco and processing sugar.

Geothermal heat creates possibilities for more valuable use of wood and it contributes towards the protection of the environment.

To generate electricity from geothermal energy, Uganda has to overcome the lack of knowledge and expertise, the high up-front cost linked to high exploration risks.